LLM in New Zealand

New Zealand’s education system is fashioned after that of the United Kingdom, and its degrees are internationally recognised. Universities are recognised for their high educational standards and have welcomed overseas students for the past 50-60 years. As a result, colleges promote multiculturalism, and students have many opportunities to meet people from all over the world. The most appealing aspect of studying in New Zealand is that it provides the best of both worlds, with educational and living standards comparable to those found in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, but at a significantly lower cost. As a result, studying for an LLM in New Zealand may be an appealing choice for people who are unable to support their studies in the United States or the United Kingdom. 

LLM in New Zealand: Highlights

Duration	1 Year (2 Full Semesters)
Fees	NZ$30,000 per annum
Eligibility	Bachelor of Law (or equivalent) with minimum 60% Research Proposal (If LLM by research opted)
Popular Specialisation	Corporate and Commercial Law, Environmental Law, Human Rights Law
Intake Session	Feb and July
Highest Paying Jobs	Lawyer, Legal Executive, Solicitor, Legal Associate in Law Firms
Salaries	NZ$45,000-NZ$70,000 per annum

Why Pursue an LLM in New Zealand?

• It is very common to study for an LLM in New Zealand because most of the Pacific island nations, like India, have legal systems that are in English.
• New Zealand’s educational system is based on the one in the UK. It provides the best of both worlds, i.e., living conditions and educational standards comparable to those in the USA, UK, and Canada, but at a significantly lesser price.
• You can apply for a post-study work visa, which gives overseas students a 12-month extension to hunt for employment in New Zealand.
• In New Zealand, LLM is made to be adaptable. It is available as coursework, as extensive research, as a basis for writing a dissertation, or as a thesis submission.
• Among those wishing to practice law, environmental law is widely desired. The New Zealand Centre for Environmental Law is located at the Faculty of Law in Auckland, and among the numerous specialized LLMs it offers is a Master of Environmental Legal Studies.
• Additionally, the University of Auckland has an agreement with the University of Melbourne in Australia that allows students to enroll in up to two courses that count toward their degree there.

Types of Degrees for an LLM in New Zealand

• Law degree by coursework: examine particular legal topics in more detail and complexity. Each course includes a considerable amount of study, typically presented as a 12,500 word research essay.
• Master of Laws by coursework and dissertation: The 20,000-word legal dissertation that students must write must demonstrate their advanced legal research and writing abilities.
• Law degree by thesis: It will be necessary for students to do a thorough investigation in a subject of personal interest. It’s not required to specialise, but you can choose to have your LLM awarded in fields like corporate and commercial law, environmental law, or human rights law.
• Master of Laws by research portfolio: Create a study subject proposal of 1200 words. It should be suited for a unique, sophisticated legal research paper that is authored utilising the right legal research approach.

LLM Specializations Offered in New Zealand

A career in law and regulations may take one to a variety of subdivisions, depending on one’s choices. Commercial law, regulatory theory, and international relations are some of the most well-liked specialisations.

Some popular specializations in Law offered by universities in New Zealand are Conflict and Disaster Law, Criminology and Criminal Justice, International Corporate and Commercial Law, International Law, Environmental Law, Human Rights Law, Litigation and Dispute Resolution Law, Public Law, Law of War and Conflicts, Cyber Law, and Indigenous Issues.

LLM in New Zealand for Indian Students

A number of prestigious universities in New Zealand offer LLM programmes in dozens of specializations from which candidates can select the most appropriate. According to QS rankings, a number of colleges that offer LLM programmes are among the top 50 universities in the world. The popular universities for LLM in New Zealand and their available programmes are listed here, ranging from public to private.

UNIVERSITY	QS RANKING	FEES PER ANNUM (INR)
The University of Auckland	81	19,49,400
University of Otago	184	18,71,950
Victoria University of Wellington	223	16,33,500
University of Canterbury	270	17,90,000
Massey University	272	15,55,050
University of Waikato	375	16,83,000
Lincoln University	387	14,29,850
Auckland University of Technology	437	17,68,000

The majority of law schools have their own application portal where they receive applications. LLM application deadlines in New Zealand are typically in the months of January and July. Around six months before the application deadline, you should begin the admissions process.

Scholarships for LLM in New Zealand

In New Zealand, there are other opportunities to apply for scholarships. These are, on the whole, extremely competitive. The following are some of the most common scholarships for international LLM applicants:

UNIVERSITY	NAME OF SCHOLARSHIP	AMOUNT (INR)
University of Otago	Research Masters Scholarships	Tuition Fees Covered
Massey University	International Excellence Scholarships	5,00,000
Lincoln University	Supperstone Law Scholarship	96,000
The University of Auckland	International Masters Degree Scholarship	5,00,000
Victoria University of Wellington	Faculty of Law International Students LLM Fee Scholarship	2,50,000
University of Waikato	Faculty of Law Graduate Scholarship	2,50,000

Other Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in New Zealand

1. New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships – students from India can apply for the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan if they are pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree (CSFP). This scholarship comes with a slew of perks, including Tuition fees in full and for living expenditures, a weekly allowance of NZ$ 491 is provided.
2. New Zealand Excellence Awards – NZEA offers scholarships to students from all eight universities. This scholarship is financed by Education New Zealand (ENZ), and there are 28 scholarships available in postgraduate programmes and three in undergraduate programmes.
3. SEG Scholarship – The Soshi Educational Group funds this scholarship programme. The worth of the scholarships. A scholarship worth NZ$ 7,000 , INR 3,50,000 per year is available. Scholarship B: a yearly stipend of $5,000, New Zealand dollars that is INR 2,50,000

Also Read: Why Study in New Zealand and Not in India?

Eligibility

Universities in New Zealand need students to have studied law with a bachelor’s degree and obtained high grades in order to be admitted to an LLM programme (preferably 2.1 or above). However, it’s impossible to say what the academic requirements are because they differ from university to university, so students should double-check the entry requirements of the university they want to attend. International students must additionally demonstrate English language proficiency at the time of admission, and each application is reviewed individually. The application process necessitates the provision of supporting papers such as academic transcripts and English Language test scores, as well as the completion of an online application form.

• Preferred TOEFL Score:  6 to 7.5
• Preferred IELTS Score:  90 to 120

Fees for LLM in New Zealand for Indian Students

In general, overseas students in New Zealand pay NZ$30,000 (INR 15,00,000) for an LLM, which is significantly less than in other nations. For example, studying LLM in New Zealand will cost between NZ$25,000 (INR 12,50,000) and NZ$50,000 (INR 25,00,000)  per year, whilst doing so in Australia will cost between NZ$39,000 (INR 19,50,000) and NZ$57,000 (INR 28,50,000) per year.

Pre Arrival Cost

TYPE OF EXPENSE	COST (INR)
New Zealand Student Visa	17,300
IELTS fees	21,000
TOEFL	20,500
GMAT fees	19,100
Air Tickets	22,500 – 35,000

Cost of Living

Accommodation, food, transportation, and living expenses should be budgeted around NZ$10,000-12,000 (INR 5,00,000 – 6,00,000) on average. After enrolling at the university, students must pay for their travel and lodging in New Zealand.

Career Scope

Students studying LLM in New Zealand benefit from the country’s well-developed and well-funded law institutions, as well as the opportunity to learn in the context of a notable early practitioner of the common law. It is an extra benefit that one-third of the world’s population lives in a common-law jurisdiction, such as the United Kingdom, India, the United States, and South Africa.

Legal Department professionals, who earn $143,000 (INR 71,50,000) per year, are the highest-paid New Zealand alumnae and graduates. Students who pursue legal or paralegal careers can expect to earn $117,000 (INR 58,50,000) per year. An LLM graduate in New Zealand can earn up to $85,000 (INR 42,50,000) per year based on their degree.

Some of the most famous job profiles include :

• Legal Assistant
• Attorney/ Lawyer
• Contracts Lawyer
• Country Lawyer
• Solicitor
• Senior Solicitor

New Zealand Student Visa Requirements

Anyone planning to study in New Zealand for longer than three months will need a New Zealand student visa. The following are the documents you will need while applying for a visa:

• Student Visa Application Form
• Statement of Purpose supporting the Visa Application
• Valid Passport
• Application for a Student Visa Receipt for fee payment
• Provide a letter from the institution where you were chosen.
• a receipt for health insurance
• two pictures of passport size
• Transcripts (diplomas, 10+2 certificates, and 10th class certificates)
• The requisite tests to study in New Zealand are listed on a scorecard ( eg: TOEFL, IELTS)
• Documents demonstrating how you will pay your tuition and living expenses.

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FAQs

Are you planning to study LLM in New Zealand but not sure where to start from? Call our  Leverage Edu experts at 1800 572 000 for end-to-end guidance from application to Visa process.